Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A LIGHT-GIVING WORD.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next morning, before Caius went out, he wrote a short statement of all that had occurred beside the quicksand.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The motive that prompted him to do this was the feeling that it would be difficult for him to make the statement to Madame Le Maitre verbally.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The next morning, before Caius went out, he wrote a short statement of all that had occurred beside the quicksand.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He began to realize that it was not easy for him to choose the topics of conversation when they were together.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading The next morning, before Caius went out, he wrote a short statement of all that had occurred beside the quicksand.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
Caius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next morning, before Caius went out, he wrote a short statement of all that had occurred beside the quicksand.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
choosenounUS /choose/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He began to realize that it was not easy for him to choose the topics of conversation when they were together.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
conversation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He began to realize that it was not easy for him to choose the topics of conversation when they were together.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
difficult
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The motive that prompted him to do this was the feeling that it would be difficult for him to make the statement to Madame Le Maitre verbally.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The motive that prompted him to do this was the feeling that it would be difficult for him to make the statement to Madame Le Maitre verbally.
doubt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
dry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
easy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He began to realize that it was not easy for him to choose the topics of conversation when they were together.
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The motive that prompted him to do this was the feeling that it would be difficult for him to make the statement to Madame Le Maitre verbally.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The motive that prompted him to do this was the feeling that it would be difficult for him to make the statement to Madame Le Maitre verbally.
frozen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
grass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The next morning, before Caius went out, he wrote a short statement of all that had occurred beside the quicksand.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The next morning, before Caius went out, he wrote a short statement of all that had occurred beside the quicksand.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The motive that prompted him to do this was the feeling that it would be difficult for him to make the statement to Madame Le Maitre verbally.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
ill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The motive that prompted him to do this was the feeling that it would be difficult for him to make the statement to Madame Le Maitre verbally.
keen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
Le
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The motive that prompted him to do this was the feeling that it would be difficult for him to make the statement to Madame Le Maitre verbally.
leaving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
LIGHT-GIVING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LIGHT-GIVING WORD.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
Madame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The motive that prompted him to do this was the feeling that it would be difficult for him to make the statement to Madame Le Maitre verbally.
Maitre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The motive that prompted him to do this was the feeling that it would be difficult for him to make the statement to Madame Le Maitre verbally.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The motive that prompted him to do this was the feeling that it would be difficult for him to make the statement to Madame Le Maitre verbally.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The next morning, before Caius went out, he wrote a short statement of all that had occurred beside the quicksand.
motive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The motive that prompted him to do this was the feeling that it would be difficult for him to make the statement to Madame Le Maitre verbally.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The next morning, before Caius went out, he wrote a short statement of all that had occurred beside the quicksand.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He began to realize that it was not easy for him to choose the topics of conversation when they were together.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
occurred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next morning, before Caius went out, he wrote a short statement of all that had occurred beside the quicksand.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The next morning, before Caius went out, he wrote a short statement of all that had occurred beside the quicksand.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next morning, before Caius went out, he wrote a short statement of all that had occurred beside the quicksand.
prompted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The motive that prompted him to do this was the feeling that it would be difficult for him to make the statement to Madame Le Maitre verbally.
questions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
quicksand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next morning, before Caius went out, he wrote a short statement of all that had occurred beside the quicksand.
realize
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He began to realize that it was not easy for him to choose the topics of conversation when they were together.
refreshment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
ride
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
road
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading The next morning, before Caius went out, he wrote a short statement of all that had occurred beside the quicksand.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
statement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next morning, before Caius went out, he wrote a short statement of all that had occurred beside the quicksand.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The next morning, before Caius went out, he wrote a short statement of all that had occurred beside the quicksand.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The next morning, before Caius went out, he wrote a short statement of all that had occurred beside the quicksand.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He began to realize that it was not easy for him to choose the topics of conversation when they were together.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The motive that prompted him to do this was the feeling that it would be difficult for him to make the statement to Madame Le Maitre verbally.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The motive that prompted him to do this was the feeling that it would be difficult for him to make the statement to Madame Le Maitre verbally.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He began to realize that it was not easy for him to choose the topics of conversation when they were together.
topics
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He began to realize that it was not easy for him to choose the topics of conversation when they were together.
verbally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The motive that prompted him to do this was the feeling that it would be difficult for him to make the statement to Madame Le Maitre verbally.
walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The motive that prompted him to do this was the feeling that it would be difficult for him to make the statement to Madame Le Maitre verbally.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The next morning, before Caius went out, he wrote a short statement of all that had occurred beside the quicksand.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He began to realize that it was not easy for him to choose the topics of conversation when they were together.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He began to realize that it was not easy for him to choose the topics of conversation when they were together.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading She did not ride with him next day, as now he knew the road, but in the course of the morning he saw her at the house where the three children were ill, and she came out into the keen air with him to ask some questions, and no doubt for the necessary refreshment of leaving the close house, for she walked a little way on the dry, frozen grass.
WORD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LIGHT-GIVING WORD.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The motive that prompted him to do this was the feeling that it would be difficult for him to make the statement to Madame Le Maitre verbally.
wrote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next morning, before Caius went out, he wrote a short statement of all that had occurred beside the quicksand.
